Al Jefferson | Center/Forward

Latest News

Recent News

According to Hornets general manager Rich Cho, Al Jefferson (knee) has been fully cleared for basketball activity.

Jefferson's knee flared up down the stretch last season and was a major cause for concern, but it's a good sign that he has been cleared this early in the summer. Jefferson recently picked up his player option for $13.5 million for next season, and he will look to help the Hornets get back into the Eastern Conference playoffs after a rough 2014-15 campaign. Jefferson posted averages of 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks last season, but he also missed 17 games due to injury and his durability is a little worrying. Jun 18 - 11:20 AM

Al Jefferson has officially picked up his third-year contract option which pays $13.5 million for the 2015-16 season.

Jefferson was frustrated after this year's brief postseason appearance, saying he had "unfinished business" with the Hornets. He made good on his statements, declining free agency to reprise his role as the central cog in Charlotte's offense. He averaged 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks last season, but he also missed 17 games and shot a career-low 48.1 percent in only 30.6 minutes per game. Jun 16 - 11:26 AM

Al Jefferson will formally notify the Hornets that he will remain with them for the 2015-16 season.

He'll make $13.5 million this upcoming season and will be a free agent this season. Jefferson's injuries are starting to pile up and he probably wouldn't have been looking at a big pay day after playing just 65 games last year. Jefferson will look to lose 25 pounds in an effort to increase his durability. Jun 14 - 12:56 AM

Al Jefferson said that he intends to remain with the Hornets next season.

Big Al has no desire to opt out, citing "unfinished business" with the Hornets. Jefferson added that he has a desire to lose 20-25 lbs this offseason in order to take some of the pressure off his knees, a move that would benefit both he and his team. Said Jefferson, "I've got to redeem myself." Apr 20 - 11:20 AM

Player News

Al Jefferson has officially picked up his third-year contract option which pays $13.5 million for the 2015-16 season.

Jefferson was frustrated after this year's brief postseason appearance, saying he had "unfinished business" with the Hornets. He made good on his statements, declining free agency to reprise his role as the central cog in Charlotte's offense. He averaged 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks last season, but he also missed 17 games and shot a career-low 48.1 percent in only 30.6 minutes per game.

Al Jefferson will formally notify the Hornets that he will remain with them for the 2015-16 season.

He'll make $13.5 million this upcoming season and will be a free agent this season. Jefferson's injuries are starting to pile up and he probably wouldn't have been looking at a big pay day after playing just 65 games last year. Jefferson will look to lose 25 pounds in an effort to increase his durability.

Al Jefferson said that he intends to remain with the Hornets next season.

Big Al has no desire to opt out, citing "unfinished business" with the Hornets. Jefferson added that he has a desire to lose 20-25 lbs this offseason in order to take some of the pressure off his knees, a move that would benefit both he and his team. Said Jefferson, "I've got to redeem myself."

Al Jefferson said it's unlikely that he'll exercise the opt out clause in his contract to become a free agent in July.

We'll monitor this situation throughout the summer, but this would be great news for Hornets fan if Big Al sticks to his word and returns. Jefferson also added that he'd like to lose 25 pounds this summer, which would hopefully help him further exacerbate his existing knee injury. Assuming he's fully healthy next fall, the 30-year-old will provide solid early-round value for owners who are willing to accept the fact that he hasn't played more than 78 games since the 2010-11 season.

Al Jefferson (knee) and Michael Kidd-Gilcrhist (ankle) will not play on Wednesday vs. the Raptors.

The Hornets have no reason to risk Big Al's health, so this is not a surprise. Jefferson's knee was a major concern down the stretch, so it will definitely be something to monitor closely in the offseason. Bismack Biyombo will draw the start tonight and is worth a look in all leagues for his ability to rebound and block shots at a high level.

Al Jefferson (knee) will not play against the Rockets on Monday night.

The Hornets finally turned to Noah Vonleh on Sunday. He played 29 minutes and posted career highs in 16 points and 12 boards. Vonleh should get another look tonight, so give him a look if you are a dice roller. Bismack Biyombo will start and play around 30-34 minutes, assuming the Hornets aren't blown out again. Jefferson is likely out for the season.

Al Jefferson (knee) intends to play again this season, but he will not suit up vs. the Heat on Tuesday or against the Raptors on Wednesday.

Jefferson's knee continues to "flare up" whenever he plays, and he said prior to Tuesday's game that "it's all about seeing how it's going to react." The Hornets are 1.5 games out of the playoff race and could move into the thick of things with a win on Tuesday, but Big Al remains a huge injury risk with five games remaining and no clear return date in sight.

Al Jefferson (knee) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) will not play Tuesday vs. the Heat, as expected.

Both these guys aren't expected to make a return until Friday at the earliest, so this news should be surprising to no one. Bismack Biyombo (nose) will start for Jefferson tonight, and he's worth a look for owners seeking some shot blocking. Jeff Taylor will continue to start with MKG sidelined, but he's not doing enough on the stat sheet to matter in almost any league. Steve Clifford said that MKG and Jefferson aren't even close, and it's looking like we may not see them in uniform again this season.

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said Al Jefferson (knee) likely won't play until Friday at the earliest.

Clifford's timetable would have Jefferson missing at least Tuesday's game against the Heat and Wednesday's game against the Raptors. We'll keep an eye on Jefferson's status throughout the week, but owners in need of games played may want to consider cutting bait. Bismack Biyombo will serve as a solid plug-and-play option while Big Al is out.

Al Jefferson will not play against the 76ers on Saturday due to knee soreness.

Well, the Hornets are going to be missing their entire usual starting frontcourt with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller also in street clothes. Jefferson didn't play in the second half on Friday and he is one of the most highly used centers in the NBA for offense. Subsequently, that led to some big usage rates among a few others: Kemba Walker (28.7 in 12 minutes), Lance Stephenson (33.8 in 14 minutes) and Gerald Henderson (37.1 in eight minutes). Bismack Biyombo also had his highest usage rate since the All-Star break and he'll likely be involved more. Bizzy B should live up to his nickname tonight.

Coach Steve Clifford said that the Hornets might shut Al Jefferson down for the rest of the season.

Jefferson is dealing with a knee issue and he's pretty broken down in general. With the Hornets losing tonight and for all intents and purposes losing their shot at the playoffs, it doesn't make a lot of sense for him to risk further injury. Bismack Biyombo is worth a pickup given this news, assuming you can stomach the bad foul shooting.

Al Jefferson is dealing with right knee soreness and will not return on Friday night.

He just can't shake this knee injury. Jefferson has been visibly bothered by his knee for about 10-14 days and the Hornets could sit him down. Plus, his minutes are way down in that span. Bismack Biyombo would get most of his minutes and could get some more blocks and boards. His offense will go to Kemba Walker, Marvin Williams, Gerald Henderson and Mo Williams. Big Al finished with four points and one steal in 12 minutes.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) has been able to do some light shooting and dribbling, and he will be cleared to start cutting in a couple of weeks.

It has taken MKG a long time to get over this ankle issue, but it looks like he is finally making some good progress. The trade of Lance Stephenson could open up even more minutes for MKG, but his game simply hasn't translated to fantasy too well. During the 2014-15 campaign, MKG averaged 10.9 points, 7.6 boards, 1.4 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.5 steals while shooting 46.5 percent from the field.

This isn't a huge surprise as the Hornets are committed to giving Frank Kaminsky every opportunity to succeed after taking him with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Zeller would have to fall into the perfect situation to provide any fantasy value in standard leagues and he'll remain more of a deep league option unless that happens.

According to Hornets general manager Rich Cho, Al Jefferson (knee) has been fully cleared for basketball activity.

Jefferson's knee flared up down the stretch last season and was a major cause for concern, but it's a good sign that he has been cleared this early in the summer. Jefferson recently picked up his player option for $13.5 million for next season, and he will look to help the Hornets get back into the Eastern Conference playoffs after a rough 2014-15 campaign. Jefferson posted averages of 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks last season, but he also missed 17 games due to injury and his durability is a little worrying.